The Madras Diabetes Research Foundation (MDRF), a leading non-profit medical research institute focused on diabetes, has recently published India’s first study examining the impact of sucralose or artificial sweetener on cardio metabolic risk factors among adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D).
The randomized controlled trial (RCT) aimed to explore the effects of replacing table sugar (sucrose) with the artificial sweetener sucralose in coffee and tea among Asian Indians. The study involved 179 Indian participants with T2D over a period of 12 weeks.
Key Findings of the Study
The findings indicate that small quantities of sucralose in daily beverages like coffee and tea do not adversely affect glycemic markers, such as glucose or HbA1c levels. Additionally, the study noted slight improvements in body weight (BW), waist circumference (WC), and body mass index (BMI). This data is significant, as many people with diabetes in India still use added sugar in their daily beverages, contributing to their overall sugar intake.
Study Details
Participants were divided into two groups: an intervention group, where added sugar in coffee or tea was replaced with sucralose-based tabletop sweeteners, and a control group, where participants continued using sucrose. Lifestyle patterns and medications remained unchanged for both groups throughout the study.
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After 12 weeks, researchers observed no significant changes in HbA1c levels between the two groups. However, favorable changes were noted in the BMI, WC, and mean body weight. The mean weight loss in the intervention group was 0.3 kg, BMI decreased by −0.1 kg/m², and WC decreased by −0.9 cm.
Significance and Future Research
Dr. V. Mohan, Chairman of MDRF and the lead researcher of the study, emphasized the relevance of these findings for India, where dietary habits differ significantly from other parts of the world. He noted that the use of non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS) like sucralose in daily beverages could help reduce calorie and sugar intake, thus improving dietary compliance. Dr. Mohan added that further studies are underway to assess the safety and efficacy of sucralose.
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The study comes amidst concerns raised by the WHO regarding the use of NNS for weight control, which primarily applied to individuals without diabetes. The results from this study provide reassurance for the diabetic community about the safe use of sucralose within permissible levels in daily beverages.
Funding and Sponsorship
The study was funded by Zydus Wellness, which provided the sucralose-based tabletop sweeteners used in the trial. However, the sponsors had no role in the study’s conduct or data analysis, the researchers confirmed.
The Madras Diabetes Research Foundation (MDRF) is a prestigious research institute located in Chennai, India, established in 1996 by Dr. V. Mohan. It focuses on scientific research related to diabetes and its complications. MDRF conducts research across various aspects of diabetes, including epidemiology, genetics, clinical management, and public health, playing a crucial role in advancing knowledge, improving patient care, and addressing the growing burden of diabetes in India and beyond.
